New 9 GHz PicoConnect 900 Series RF, microwave and digital probes

This new series of passive oscilloscope probes dramatically lowers the cost of performing low-invasive measurements on gigahertz-frequency circuits. The PicoConnect probes have an extremely low input capacitance of typically 0.3 pF, which minimizes disturbance to the device under test and ensures a well-defined pulse response. This makes them more accurate than expensive active probes at very high frequencies.

Video of the month:
PicoConnect 900 Series

You may remember a few months ago we posted a video from the International Microwave Symposium, where Mark Ashcroft, our RF Business Development Manager, mentioned a secret new product under development. That product was revealed to the world at European Microwave Week as the PicoConnect 900 Series of low-invasive RF, microwave and gigabit probes. In this video, taken at the launch, Mark tells us a bit more about the range.

Competition time

For three days of EuMW, we ran a prize draw to win a PicoScope 2207B, one of the new PicoScope 2000 Series oscilloscopes we launched earlier in the year. We're very happy to tell you that our three winners were as follows:

Day 1: Ralph Green from Portsmouth

Day 2: Abdelhakim Boughriet from Reading

Day 3: Alex Jacobs from Maidstone

Congratulations to all of you. We hope you’re enjoying using your new scope!

Customer review:
PicoScope 2204A scope

It's always great to get good feedback from our customers, and even better when they show us how they use our scopes. In this case, Janne Pohjale tells us about his PicoScope 2204A and how he's combined it with an 8" tablet to make a truly "ultra mobile scope".

EM Best of Industry Awards

EM Media, the group behind Electronics Maker magazine, hosted the second annual EM Best of Industry Awards ceremony on 21 September. We're very pleased to report that Pico came first in the Best Portable Test Solutions category.

Questions & Answers: Faster readings with PicoLog

Q. I'm using PicoLog with a PicoScope 2000 Series scope. I was taking readings every 10 ms and decided to change to every 1 ms, but the timings are the same. Is this because the PicoScope can't go any faster?

A. It can go faster, but you need to change the sampling mode. You are probably using the default Real Time Continuous mode, which limits you to low sampling rates. Click Settings > Recording and change the Recording method to Streaming (single converter only). This will give access to faster sampling rates.

Questions & Answers: PicoScope 6 save-on-trigger

Q. In PicoScope 6, how can I record a sweep, then save that as a stand-alone file before beginning the next? That would allow me to let the unit run indefinitely and analyze the files in the directory without having to interrupt the program.

A. The Alarms feature is what you need. First set up a trigger, then go to Tools > Alarms. Set the Event type to Capture, then click Add and set the Action to Save Current Buffer. You then need to tell PicoScope where to save the files. Then, back in the Alarms dialog, make sure that you check the box next to the new Save Current Buffer action to enable it. PicoScope will now save every captured waveform in a new file.

Software releases

Our latest software releases are available as free downloads. To check which release you are using, start the software and select Help > About.

About this newsletter

To make sure that your Pico newsletter reaches your inbox every month, add listmaster@picotech.com to your email address book or safe list. If you found this newsletter useful, please recommend it to your friends and colleagues. Back issues are available from our newsletter archive.

Testimonials

I have been using my 4224 PicoScope for years. I travel abroad so this has been ideal due to its physical size. Storage of waveforms on my Laptop is very easy allowing me to quickly email waveforms to my Colleagues.

Andrew

Not many USB scopes works on Win & Mac & Linux too, so that proves me that guys from Pico really cares about us, customers. This made my decision much easier when I was looking to buy an USB scope.

Raul Trifan

We have been using Picoscope 6404D for quite some time, and are amazed by its accuracy and powerful emulations while working with numerous signal evaluations.

J Mohanty

PicoLog TC-08: This is a very nice unit that works consistently and reliably.

Jeff Hulett

It is a great scope. I had a weird problem - it did not work on one of my PC’s. Customer service gave me first class service. If I could give 6 stars for customer service - I would do so.

Niels Larsen

Perfect Partner for Development of Encoder controlled Stepper Motor Actuators. Since the included software is really stable, this type of device is a great tool for great tasks!

Helmut Schoettner

A superb piece of equipment worth its weight in gold

Nigel Clinch

So simple to use & beats any other I have ever used hands down.

John D Samsing

Great functionality in a compact size. I really like moving the mouse pointer to a position and having the Time and Voltage display the values at that point. Calibration equipment is a breeze with that feature.